CBS: Attkisson computer hacked

CBS News on Friday said investigative reporter Sharyl Attkisson’s computer had been compromised and accessed “by an unauthorized, external, unknown party on multiple occasions.”

The cyber security firm hired by CBS News to conduct an investigation found that the breaches occurred late in 2012, according to a statement from the network.

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“Evidence suggests this party performed all access remotely using Attkisson’s accounts,” CBS spokesperson Sonya McNair said in a statement. “While no malicious code was found, forensic analysis revealed an intruder had executed commands that appeared to involve search and exfiltration of data.”

“This party also used sophisticated methods to remove all possible indications of unauthorized activity, and alter system times to cause further confusion,” McNair added.

The cyber security firm hired by CBS News “determined through forensic analysis” that Attkisson’s computer had been breached. CBS News is now taking steps to identify the person who compromised Attkisson’s computer, and how they were able to do so.

In late May, Attkisson told WPHT Philadelphia about the intrusion into her computer and said “there could be some relationship between these things and what’s happened to James [Rosen],” the Fox News reporter whose emails and movements were tracked by the Department of Justice.

She also told POLITICO at the time that “I can confirm that an intrusion of my computers has been under some investigation on my end for some months but I’m not prepared to make an allegation against a specific entity today as I’ve been patient and methodical about this matter.”